Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Quota Adjustments for 2026 Announced by NOAA Fisheries
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NOAA Fisheries has announced adjustments to the Atlantic bluefin tuna quota for the 2026 fishing year,transferring a notable portion from the Reserve category to the Longline category. These changes aim to optimize fishing opportunities while maintaining lasting stock levels.
Quota Adjustments
A total of 30.8 metric tons (mt) of atlantic bluefin tuna quota has been transferred, resulting in the following adjusted quotas:
- longline category: 240.1 mt
- Reserve category: 7.4 mt
Individual Bluefin Quota (IBQ) Allocation
Eligible Individual Bluefin Quota (IBQ) shareholders will receive an additional 893 pounds (0.4 mt) of IBQ. Shareholders can anticipate updates to their individual accounts in the near future. This allocation is a direct result of the quota transfer and is intended to provide increased flexibility for participating fishermen.
Effective Dates and Future Considerations
These adjusted quotas will remain in effect for the remainder of the 2026 fishing year, or untill further modifications are implemented. NOAA Fisheries is committed to ongoing assessment and management of the Atlantic bluefin tuna stock. The agency plans to initiate rulemaking action in 2026 to consider adjustments to the baseline quota, aligning with the quota established at the 2025 International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) annual meeting.
Who is Affected?
This quota adjustment specifically impacts Atlantic Tunas Longline category limited access permit holders. Fishermen operating under this permit category will benefit from the increased quota allocation in the Longline category.
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